Massage Therapy License Renewal in Iowa (2026)

Massage Therapy license renewal in Iowa is handled by the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy, which requires Massage Therapist (LMT)s to renew every 24 months. Below are the renewal deadline rule, continuing-education (CE) hours, fees, and a direct link to the official renewal page — last verified 2026-06-01. This is an unofficial guide; always confirm the details with the board before you file.

Iowa Massage Therapy renewal at a glance

Renewal cycle	24 months
Deadline rule	Licenses are renewed on a two-year (biennial) cycle. The renewal/compliance period begins on the date the initial license was granted and ends two years later on the day before the anniversary date of that initial license. Licensees may renew up to 60 days before the current expiration date, and all CE must be completed before submitting the renewal application. Renewing after expiration incurs a late fee; failure to renew by the end of the grace period results in an inactive (expired) license.
CE hours required	16 hours
Renewal fee	$60.00
Online renewal	Yes
Governing body	Iowa Board of Massage Therapy

Go to the official Iowa Board of Massage Therapy renewal page →

Last verified 2026-06-01 from the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy. automated research workflow (official iowa massage board), confidence high.

Continuing-education requirements for Massage Therapys in Iowa

16 hours of continuing education per two-year biennium. At least 8 of the 16 hours must be earned through programs delivered in person or via live, real-time interactive media; the remainder may be online/self-study. First-time licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal. Excess hours up to 50% of the requirement (max 8 hours) may carry forward to the next period. The official rule (Iowa Administrative Code 481 Ch. 823, effective 2024/2025) does not set a specific mandatory ethics or hands-on hour minimum, though mandatory reporter training and ethics-related courses count toward the total. The board does not pre-approve providers or programs.

Need approved hours? Compare Iowa Massage Therapy CE courses (some links are affiliate links).

How to renew your Massage Therapy license in Iowa

Confirm your renewal deadline and current status on the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy portal.
Complete the required 16 CE hours.
Submit the renewal application and pay the current fee online.
Keep proof of CE and your renewal confirmation for your records.

Good to know: Massage therapy licensing in Iowa moved from the Department of Public Health (IDPH) to the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL); the board is the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy. Online renewal is done through the AMANDA licensing portal (https://amanda-portal.idph.state.ia.us/ibpl/portal/). Fees verified from IAC 481-507.8: initial license $120, biennial renewal $60, late fee $60, reactivation $120. CE verified from IAC 481 Chapter 823. Caution: several third-party CE-vendor sites claim "8 hours hands-on" and "2 hours ethics/mandatory reporting" are required, but the current official Chapter 823 rule does not mandate those specific sub-allocations beyond the 8-hour in-person/live minimum — those third-party figures were not adopted.

Massage Therapy license renewal in Iowa: frequently asked questions

How often do I renew my Massage Therapy license in Iowa?

Iowa Massage Therapy licenses renew every 24 months. Licenses are renewed on a two-year (biennial) cycle. The renewal/compliance period begins on the date the initial license was granted and ends two years later on the day before the anniversary date of that initial license. Licensees may renew up to 60 days before the current expiration date, and all CE must be completed before submitting the renewal application. Renewing after expiration incurs a late fee; failure to renew by the end of the grace period results in an inactive (expired) license.

How many CE hours are required to renew an Massage Therapy license in Iowa?

Approximately 16 continuing-education hours per cycle. 16 hours of continuing education per two-year biennium. At least 8 of the 16 hours must be earned through programs delivered in person or via live, real-time interactive media; the remainder may be online/self-study. First-time licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal. Excess hours up to 50% of the requirement (max 8 hours) may carry forward to the next period. The official rule (Iowa Administrative Code 481 Ch. 823, effective 2024/2025) does not set a specific mandatory ethics or hands-on hour minimum, though mandatory reporter training and ethics-related courses count toward the total. The board does not pre-approve providers or programs. Confirm the current requirement with the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy.

Can I renew my Iowa Massage Therapy license online?

Yes — Iowa offers online renewal through the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy. Use the official link on this page.

What happens if I let my Iowa Massage Therapy license expire?

Practicing on an expired license is generally prohibited and can carry penalties. A late fee of about $60 may apply. Contact the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy promptly if your license has lapsed.

Renew the same license in another state

All states: Massage Therapist (LMT) renewal